Is Dramatica a creativity boost or distraction?
I would like to be up and running with the program no later than one month from the time I purchase it -- that's why I'm taking the time now to read the theory book; I'm hoping this will facilitate my use of the program. But when I read about all the seminars, tapes, etc., I worry that I'll get bogged down spending all my time trying to be a Dramatica Expert rather than a screenwriter. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't want the analytical part of writing to come at the expense of the creative part. I'm sure you can ally my fears, so please do. 
If you treat Dramatica like a tool rather than a task master, you can do an awful lot with the software without worrying about trying to become a "Dramatica Expert." Like many things, Dramatica is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it gets you thinking about your story in fresh, new ways which is terrific for creativity. On the other hand, it gets you thinking about your story in fresh, new ways which has the allure of drawing you deeper and deeper into its potentialities (which can suck up time).
If you haven't already done so, I suggest reading the transcript of the recent chat with novelist Tracy Hickman. He discusses how he uses Dramatica in his writing -- which tools his uses a lot, and those with which he has only a passing familiarity. I wish I could say Dramatica absolutely won't distract you from your writing, but I can't because it has been known to do that for some writers. I CAN say that the software is very straightforward and easy to use, and if you discipline yourself in the amount of time you use it, you'll find it can help develop your story in many exciting ways.
